Hikes

Autour du Mont Gond

Nendaz

8/16°

Throughout this amazing walk, explore the most beautiful landscapes of Nendaz, such as the Larch trees of Balavaux, the Dents Rousses or the Jardin japonais (Japanese Gardens).

Difficulty

Intermediate

Length

14.16 km

Duration

4:40 h

Description

This relatively demanding 14-kilometre hike takes you through a variety of landscapes, crossing the Balavaux pasture, with around 250 Larch trees, some of which have reached the venerable age of 1,000 years old. Among them are the most imposing and oldest specimens in Europe. One of these multi-centenarians may even hold the record, with a circumference of 11.8 metres. To admire the so-called "King of Balavaux » up close, don't miss the walkway specially built for this purpose. Your ascent then continues towards the Dents Rousses, with its incredible view over the Cleuson dam, the Mont-Fort and the Alps. Between the Dents Rousses and Siviez, don't forget to stop at the Jardin Japonais, a true haven. This enchanting natural site emanates a wonderful feeling of calm and tranquility.

Turn-by-turn directions

Nendaz, Tracouet – Balavaux – Champ Ferret – Dents Rousses –La Tsa – Jardin japonais - Tortin – Siviez

This hike begins at the top of the Tracouet gondola. From here, follow the mountain pasture track towards Prarion. Once you arrive at Balavaux hut, take the small track on your left and walk past the cowshed where the Hérens cows stay during the summer. Cross the Balavaux pasture, where magnificent 1000-year-old larch trees stand proudly. At the end of this route, the path narrows and becomes steeper. Continue your ascent towards the Dents Rousses, the highest point of your hike at over 2,570m above sea level. From here, start your descent towards Tortin. On the way, don't forget to stop for refreshing break at the Jardin Japonais. Then continue down to Siviez, the final point of your hike, crossing the Tortin pasture and then, from the reservoir, following the footpath that runs alongside the Printse river.

Start

Tracouet, top of the lift station (2195m)

Destination

Siviez (1728m)

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Author's recommendation

Balavaux is home to an amazing feature: 250 larch trees, among which are the largest and oldest specimens in Europe.

Technical information

Altitude

2576m

1728m

Ascent

+538m

Descent

-1005m

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Best time of the year

Public transport

Take the train to Sion, then Post Bus to Haute-Nendaz (gondola station), and finally the gondola to Tracouet. Find full timetable information at www.cff.ch.

Approach

A9 motorway, exit 26 (Sion-Ouest) if driving from the west or exit 27 (Sion-Est) if approaching from the east. Follow signs for Haute-Nendaz up to the centre of the resort.

Parking

Nendaz has various paid car parks (Prameira, Mer de Glace, Pré de la Patinoire). Follow the parking signs from Nendaz.

Equipment

We recommend:

good footwear
clothing suitable for the weather: always carry a waterproof jacket
hat or cap
sunscreen
bottle for water
picnic
camera
binoculars (optional)
hiking poles (optional)
printout of this hike (click «Print» icon, to download)

For certain walks:

Swimwear

Preparing your hike

Safety information

Use of the trails and the information on this website is at hikers’ own risk. Local conditions may entail changes to routes. Valais/Wallis Promotion accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of information on this website.

For all hikes:

Bring a map. Download full description of this route including large-scale map by clicking on «Print» icon, top right of this page.
Use marked trails only, and observe all signposting – for your own safety, to safeguard grazing animals and to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Close gates after passing through.
Please be considerate to other trail users, and to the plants and animals.
Do not leave any waste in nature.

For mountain hikes:

Take extra care protecting yourself from the sun at altitude. UV radiation can be exceptionally strong, even in cloudy weather.
Plan hike carefully: take into consideration fitness level of each participant, weather forecast and season.
Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, without warning. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.

For high-altitude hikes:

Inform others of the route you plan to take. Whenever possible, avoid going alone.
Do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
Take note of the warning signs that point out the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs: water levels may rise rapidly without warning.

Preparing your hike

Additional information

View this tour on SwitzerlandMobility:

N°223 Autour du Mont Gond

More information about the destination:

Nendaz

Literature

Get the Valais/Wallis hiking map to discover the best hikes in the region.

The Nendaz tourist office can provide you with a range of informative documents and brochures about hiking in the destination.

Maps

SwissTopo maps 1:25'000: 1306 Sion

Source

This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion